Dial M for Murder

This is an old Hitchcock (what Hitchcock isn’t old?) but a good one.  The whole thing takes place in only two locales, four if you’re really stretching the definition, and 90% of it is in the home of the Tony (Ray Milland) and Margot Wendice (Grace Kelly). To have a movie which includes a steamy love triangle, blackmail, murder, attempted murder, an investigation, trial, and mystery crime resolution in this one small set of rooms is quite a feat.  That it’s interesting makes it even better. 

What really won my approval, however, was not this fascinating crime-scene focus, nor the superb acting or lovely face of Grace Kelly.  It was the plot.  The whole movie is one long set of nested motives and twisted domino chain reactions.  It’s really very fascinating to watch, and quite satisfying in the end as the mystery is resolved and the last clues brought to light.  I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good mystery (of the armchair variety, mind you) and to all writers who make a study of plot.

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